Oh, Have Mercy - I'm in Trouble

Yeah, I know I haven't been posting much lately.

And I just posted.

Here's another one anyway, 'cuz I'm in deep doo-doo.

There's another giveaway I want. It's an apron. I know: I need help. I'm in denial about it, though, so it's okay.

Amy Quarry is giving away not one but two items from her shop to celebrate the arrival of warm weather at her house. There's adorable pants for the tots, and an apron that I've fallen in love with. I'm not telling which one so that way the chances of someone snatching it from my yearning hands is lessened. Go check out the post for entry details, then head over to the shop for some of your own yearning.

It's a Big-Un!

You know me: I love me some aprons. I also love giveaways. Throw in some good ol' country twang and my brain turns to mush.

Well, I'm gonna be all nice-like and tell ya a secret: Calamity Kim is giving away a BUNCH o' stuff to celebrate being featured in Apronology magazine! There's the magazine (signed), a cookbook, markers, dolls, butterflies! Go check it out to see all the loot! Just don't enter so my chances of winning are better. ;)

And here's a sentence that doesn't end with an exclamation point.

Last March Friday Fill-in

Yeah, yeah, I know: this is getting a little old...

1. "In a hole in the ground there lived big ol' snake as long as all the electric poles in town all stacked up."

2. "She was rude as a rooster crowin' afore sun-up, but that ain't no matter."

3. "After dark the rain began to fall again, lulling me into that sweet sleep that only comes with rain."

4. "They gathered all the gold from the hold of the Spanish galleon."

5. "There was a hand in the darkness, and it gripped mine, assuring me of his presence there with me."

6. "Accidents ambush the unsuspecting, but merely give confidence to the prepared."

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to sleep, tomorrow my plans include church and Sunday, I want to have a nice, relaxing girl-time at my Stampin' Up Technique Club meeting!

After St Patrick's Day Friday Fill-in

Yeah, I know: original title. Yeah, I also know my last post was a Friday Fill-in. Depression sucks - you get used to it after a while.

Meh.

1. Why do we have to put up with so much crap from those that supposedly love us?

2. Apparently, hurtful words and insults are now habits.

3. I have no more energy to deal with this crappy life.

4. I had never heard the phrase "shut up and suit up" and it doesn't sound like something I want to do right now - or for a very long time, at this point.

5. I'll smile and laugh anyway the way I always do.

6. How was I to know my life would end up like this?

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to escape via sleep, tomorrow my plans include church and Sunday, I want to have fun at the VBS meeting!

Before St. Patrick's Day Friday Fill-in

1. When I look to the left, I see the disgustingly cluttered area behind the couch with all the kids' toys and papers strewn everywhere.

2. The living room is the room that has the best view in my home.

3. Let it work a while before you scrub or rinse it off.

4. If you research and open your mind, just about anything can be done dirt cheap!

5. Keeping children safe is a responsibility that all qualified citizens must share.

6. If you have any yarn feel free to share with the women's ministry at my church so we can make blankets for local unwed mothers and their babies. E-mail me at crystal (at) 3stairs (dot) com for an address to send it to.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to working on a green St. Patrick's Day background for the worship slides this weekend and sleep, tomorrow my plans include general potluck at church (yum!) and Sunday, I want to look good for our first family portraits in six years!

Win a Cool Caddy!

I hate to do it because you might win, but I want the extra entry so bad I'm gonna tell you anyway. Project Nursery is having a giveaway - you could win a diapers and wipes caddy from JJ Cole.

They come in four different designer colorways and let me tell you: they are yummy gorgeous! It's not an obvious nursery item, either. Just looking at it, I started dreaming (drooling?) about using it as a craft tote.

So go, look, drool, and if you absolutely have to, enter to win a diapers and wipes caddy.

Merry March Friday Fill-in

The last couple of weeks have been so crazy it was either Friday night or Saturday night before I got to read my Friday Fill-in prompts. This week, I'm back!

1. Stopping a woman in the grocery store to tell her I liked the handmade pin she was wearing was my last random act of kindness.

2. Another place I want to go to is Vienna.

3. Don't be afraid of risk in matters of the heart.

4. Coffee, tea or other caffeinated drinks are things I'm trying to get away from.

5. Misunderstandings separate paths.

6. Our new vehicle reminds me that there is a God who wants to bless His children.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to encouraging Bethany to sleep in her bed, tomorrow my plans include celebrating International Women's Day of Prayer with my church sisters and Sunday, I want to go to our church's first Sewing Circle!

Direction - Discernment for the Decisions of Your Life by Cheri Cowell

Direction - Discernment for the Decisions of Your Life by Cheri Cowell Paperback: 192 pages Publisher: Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City ISBN-10: 0834123355 ISBN-13: 978-0834123359 Cost: $14.99

Feeling Lost? Need Directions?
Author Shares Six Tips for Finding Your Route
(Orlando, Florida) Have you ever wished you could look into the future and obtain better insight in order to make wiser decisions for your best outcome? So many times, results from poor choices could have been avoided if we had seriously considered the direction of God's guidance for our lives, instead of trying to figure things out on our own. In her book, Direction: Discernment for the Decisions of Your Life, Cheri Cowell presents six questions readers should ask themselves when facing important decisions. Through observation and exploration, she examines each question and shares examples of how others--from Bible times to present day--have used these questions to find God's way in the story of their lives. From career options to medical decisions to relationship questions, Cowell's instruction and guidance helps readers learn how to make confident choices as they seek God's direction on the road of life.

About the Author
Cheri Cowell, a popular conference speaker and writer, uses her experience in ministry to encourage and equip Christians seeking answers to the unspoken questions of faith. She is earning a degree in theological studies at Asbury Theological Seminary in Orlando, Florida, where she and her husband, Randy, call home.

For more information, see: http://directionanddiscernment.com/index.html

A Chat with Cheri Cowell

Obviously, the search for God’s will is a topic of interest to many Christians today. What would you say is the most common misconception about seeking God’s direction for ones life?

I encounter this same question every time I speak on this topic. The answer is what I call the Myth of the Path of Relative Ease, which says when we finally find God’s perfect will we’ll be on easy street. Easy Street promises smooth sailing and a peace-filled life. But I’ve learned this is anything but biblical. The Bible tells us we can’t use an ‘easy life’ as a road-sign pointing to His way. In fact, His way promises to be a bumpy road filled with potholes and dangerous cliffs. The exciting thing for us is when we learn to walk in His ways, we’ll have a Companion for the journey who knows the dangerous curves ahead.

BONUS MATERIAL Toughest Decisions You'll Ever Make * Is he/she the right one for me (to marry)? Scriptures: Hebrews 13:4, 1 Cor. 7, Gen. 2:18,21-25 * Is this the right job/career-move for me? Scriptures: 1 Cor. 3:10, Romans 1:8-13 * Do I believe God is who He says He is? Scriptures: John 12:42; John 6:35; John 8:12; John 10:9; 11; John 11:25; John 14:6 * Which daycare/school/aftercare/babysitter is the best choice for my son/daughter? Scriptures: Ephesians 6:4, 1 Timothy 3:4, 5:10; Deut. 11:18-19 * Which church do I join? On the flip side, should I leave my church and find another? Scriptures: 1 Cor. 1:10, Romans 12:5, 1 Cor. 10:17, Romans 16:17 * What treatment options for my/my loved one’s life threatening disease (cancer, leukemia) should I pursue? Which doctor should I choose? Scriptures: 1 Cor. 12:9, Ex 15:26, Psalms 133:3, 147:3 * Do I/Can I forgive that person? Can I ever forgive myself? Scriptures: Matthew 5:44, Ephesians 4:32, Matthew 18:21-35, Colossians 3:13 * Do we pursue infertility treatments or accept that children are not a part of God’s plan for us? Scriptures: Prov. 31:28; Genesis 30:1-3,22; Acts 18:1-3,18,19,26 * How do I/we care for my aging in-laws/parent(s)—home healthcare/nursing home/move them to my/our home? Scriptures: Proverbs 17:6, Romans 12:10, Eph. 6:1-3 * Should I take my loved one off life-support? Scriptures: Psalm 116:15-16, 1 Cor. 15:20-22, Rev. 21:1-4 * Should we go into debt for…? Is it okay to file bankruptcy? What if we lose everything? Scriptures: Proverbs 19:1, Mark 12:42, Romans 3:18, Exodus 22:25-27 Cheri Cowell http://www.directionanddiscernment.com/

In Direction, you write about the process of determining if something is God’s will or not. You say to test it against the character of God. How can we know what the character of God is like?

I don’t presume to know all there is to know about who God is, but when looking for the leading hand of God, it’s important to know how we see that hand. Some see God’s guidance as that of a loving Father showing His child the best way to live so as to protect from harm, others know Him as a Best Friend who shares all that’s needed to make wise decisions. Then there are those who see God as a Guide, almost like a whitewater rafting guide who’s been down this rapid before and can show the way.

When you are personally faced with a big decision to make, what’s the first thing you do?

LOL, I think I’m like most people. I have well-worn paths I retreat to, and some are not healthy. I’m afraid I tend to talk it out with friends instead of first talking to my Best Friend. I’m fear-filled first instead of crawling up in my Father’s heavenly lap and seeking His heart on the matter. And yes, I also rely on the common road signs most of us have relied upon when making big decisions—Bible reading, prayer, open & closed doors, and the sense of peace we’re to have when walking in God’s light. This last list sounds like a good thing, but I’ve learned there’s a good way to do this and a not-so-good way. The not-so-good way is the one that says these road signs are to point me to God’s perfect will. The ‘good way’ is to use these same road signs as a means of drawing closer to the heart of God instead of looking for a hidden will. It is in this position, close to the heart of God, where we are best able to hear from God.

Sometimes we think we only need to go to God about the big decisions in our lives. What evidence do you have from God’s Word that He is interested in every decision?

I call this the Too Big and Too Small God problem. When we make our God so big, He becomes aloof and distant. When we buy into this lie we only go to God when the decision is big enough. Such decisions often find us at God’s door begging for direction such as, “Who am I supposed to marry; should I take this job and move my family; or is it ever okay to take my loved one off life support?” These are indeed big decisions that require a Big God, but if we’re only going to God when a situation is big enough, we’re missing most of life. Most of life is lived in the humdrum of everyday decision-making. It is the ordinary day-in-and-day-out little things like, “’Do I run this yellow light; do I tell her how I really feel even if it means losing a friend; or do I pick up the phone and call that person I’ve been thinking about all day?” where the little things add up to become big things. Satan tries to tell us these are the small things a Big God should not be bothered with. This is one of his favorite tools. He used these same lies with Jesus during His temptation in the desert, but Jesus knew they were lies. We, too, need to learn to identify Satan’s lying tongue.

You’re continuing your education at Asbury Theological Seminary. What are you hoping to do once you finish your degree?

It is my prayer to write and speak biblical truths more effectively. I am so blessed to have this opportunity to earn a Masters in Theological Studies. As I gain more knowledge, I’ve seen my writing and speaking gain power and conviction.

When a Christian is totally consumed and overwhelmed by the stress of making the right decision, it is tough to put everything in perspective. Are there some practical tips you can share so that he/she can still continue with their everyday life?

Certainly. My first suggestion is to take time to be alone with God. Our God-time is often the first casualty of a stress-filled life, but this is precisely the time when we need Him the most. Next, find some help. The Christian life is not to be a solitary event. Even Jesus went to the Garden with four friends. Share with a handful of committed Christians your struggles, ask for practical help if necessary, and then invite them to lift you up in intercessory prayer. This last step is forming what I call a Clearness Community. Through this Community you will hear God’s voice more clearly than any one of us can discern on our own.

How is Direction an extension of your own personal search for God’s will?

As I answer these questions I’m sitting in Tennessee in a vacation cabin where my husband and I are seeking God’s direction about a potential move here from our home in Florida. My friends have teased, “You know, there’s this really good book you should read…” Their levity allows me to keep things in perspective as we weigh the options, seek the leading of the Holy Spirit, and trust in a God who walks with us no matter what decisions we make.

Books Direction: Discernment for the Decisions of Your Life by Cheri Cowell Direction: A Companion Workbook for Practicing the Process of Discernment by Cheri Cowell God's Handprints: True Stories of God's Presence in the Everyday Lives of His People Trusting God's People Again Give Thanks: Glimpses of an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Lives When God Waits: Making Sense of Divine Delays If God is Everywhere, Why Can't I Find Him Simple Little Words: What you Say Can change a Life Heartwarmers of Love: Award Winning Stories of Love, Romance, Friends, and Family Other Goodies Headed in the Right Direction? notecards Slice Apple Pie shaped/scented candle Apple shaped stress ball Direction JewelryTM (bracelet, earrings, and bookmark with glass apple charms) A decorative apple/fruit themed basket

***Prize Alert!***
Cheri's having a drawing for a gift basket full of books and goodies worth $135! I'll choose one commenter to be entered into the drawing that Cheri will hold on the 16th. You have until midnight on March 14 to get your entries in, so get busy!

How to Enter:
Leave a comment and tell me about a time when you really sought (or should have sought) God's direction in your life.

Extra Entries:

• Second Entry: Tweet this giveaway and leave a comment with a link to the tweet.



• Third Entry: Follow me on Twitter and leave a comment letting me know.



• Fourth Entry: Subscribe to 3Stairs and leave a comment letting me know.



• Fifth Entry: Blog about this giveaway and leave a comment with a link to your post.

I'll let Random.org choose the entrant from 3Stairs at midnight on Saturday, March 14, so get your comments in by then!

It's Seussday!

Visit Seussville

Oh, yeah. I'm here...

Well, sort of. I've been battling this post-nasal drip, sore throat thing and all I want to do is sleep these days. Between that and trying to find a car and dealing with the stairs I haven't really been inspired or motivated to write.

Never fear, I have two posts due this week over at www.KidGlue.com, so I'm sure writing those will relight the fire under my writing butt.

So what do you want to hear? Not that I'll tell you it, mind you, but just so we can say I did ask.... ;)